The Substance is a wild ride and so over the top—like, how could you ever forget this movie, especially those last 30 minutes? It’s one of the most bizarre and grotesque experiences on screen. I love the style of this film; it has a unique taste in terms of cinematography, musical score, and all the technicalities involved.
The movie excels at making you feel uncomfortable in your own skin and paints a vivid picture of the grotesque experience of society norms. It really put on a spotlight on the ugliness within us and society.
Some may argue that this film ultimately explores themes of aging, beauty standards, fame, or societal pressures. However, to me, the film digs deep into themes of self-destruction driven by self-hatred and that relentless desire for validation through external connections.
This cognitive dissonance, where we desire love despite feeling unworthy and even self-loathing, creates a conflict that can drive us to throw out our entire identity in an attempt to become someone else. We are unable to perceive ourselves beyond our flaws—viewing ourselves as grotesque, so we frequently fantasize about a fresh start. However, little do we realize that no matter what we do, we can never truly escape ourselves.
On the other hand, our perception of ugliness or grotesqueness can be influenced not only by our self-view but also by social norms and values that shape our lives. The harsh reality is that, when confronted with something that seems ugly or even grotesque, we often fail to question whether the subject itself is flawed or if our collective perception is the root of the issue. Are we projecting our own thoughts and vices onto the subject?
Sometimes, it’s not us, but society that failed to recognize beauty in life.
Overall, I believe The Substance is a great movie. Although it’s not my usual taste, I genuinely appreciate its stylishness, bold narrative, and meaningful messages. It's certainly a style AND 'substance' type of movie. I enjoyed how the narrative gradually enhances emotions and tension, creating a spectacle with the ending. However, I’m afraid that this approach might lead some viewers to misinterpret or overlook the message, focusing solely on the grotesque elements and cheap laughs rather than understanding its profound meaning.